•  
  •  
 

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

DPPG, phospholipase A2, human group X sPLA2, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

There are eight known isoforms of the mammalian secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). One of these, the recently discovered human group X sPLA2 (hGX), when added to adherent cells, has the ability to cleave the second fatty acid side chain of phospholipids, thereby producing arachidonic acid. Other isozymes, when added in a similar manner, do not release arachidonic acid unless the cells have become non-adherent, or are first treated with chemicals that increase intracellular calcium levels such as ionomycin, lysolecithin, or thionin. Originally, we were interested in whether hGX would respond with increased enzymatic activity, as do the other sPLA2 isoforms, when intracellular calcium levels are elevated.

Share

COinS